THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL is a 1992 film written and directed by Brian Henson. The story follows the classic Dickens story of A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Muppet style. It uses the Muppet characters to play Charles Dickens (The Great Gonzo) and Rizzo the Rat (Co-Narrator). The story, though played by Muppets, has been deemed one of the most faithful adaptations of the original book.
I have been a Muppets girl since before I was born. Truly, I don’t think there is anyone more obsessed with Muppets media than me. I do not remember my first time watching THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL other than the fact that I was very, very young and watched it on VHS. This movie never leans too far into the comedy that it becomes a Muppet movie, but also never lets you forget that Charles Dickens is literally a Muppet. There is a brilliant quote from Michael Caine, who discusses how he would not play into any comedy in this movie. He was going to do it as if he was in the Royal English Shakespeare Company and that all his fellow Muppets were actors. This, combined with Gonzo acting like he’s in a stand-up comedy night, makes for a perfect collision of combining forces.
I would like to take a moment to talk about my favorite part of the film, the soundtrack. I am a bit obsessive, but my mother and I regularly listen to this soundtrack in the car. The soundtrack and score match every moment to a T and are some of the best music ever written. Have you listened to Marley and Marley? Put it on once, and then try to get it out of your head for the rest of your life. The songs work well to seamlessly blend the different acts and scenes of the story. The story is true to the original novel, leading to a debate I’ve gotten into with my family this year. Is this a drama? I truly believe in no universe this is a drama, just a family Christmas film. However, every website or streaming service lists this as a drama?!?! I don’t care how well I said the genres blend together when you have Gonzo the Great as Charles Dickens it just can’t be listed solely as a drama!
My favorite part of the year is always seeing more love get brought to this movie. It may be one of the most meaningful films to me, and I can’t remember many holidays where this wasn’t on in the background while decorating, or me and my mom didn’t have SCROOGE blasting on our way to shop for Christmas. I have said for a long time that The Muppets are one of the most underutilized franchises that Disney owns. I will never forget seeing MUPPETS MOST WANTED on the opening day in 2014, and it still has the same impact on me to this day. They are such a beautiful idea and are the grown-up equivalent of Sesame Street. Whenever I hear the lyrics to Rainbow Connection, I can’t stop myself from tearing up. The compassion, kindness, and laughter these characters represent are things I’ll cherish deeply in my life, and THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL is a big reason for my love of the group.
It’s available on Disney+.
